Computerized article customization system and method for use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a method for soliciting orders for customized apparel. The apparel can be appendage apparel, such as footwear, gloves, or head gear, or non-appendage apparel such as jackets. The present method includes providing an order form accessible through at least one computer by one or more users. The present method further includes providing one or more possible design parameters, requesting the user to customize the apparel by entering at least one of the parameters on the order form. The user submits the order form through the computer and receives apparel according to the order form. The parameters may include size, material, model, style, color, material treatment, or personalization.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a computerized article customizationsystem and method for use thereof. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a system and method using a computer network forsoliciting orders for customized articles including, for example,allowing a user to transmit to the supplier, manufacturer or retailercustomized preferences related to cut and assembled articles, such asapparel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles that are sewn and secured together, particularly those worn bya user are generally selected based on a number of criteria. When thesearticles are used in a sport, such as golf, the fit and comfort of thearticle can be critical to the user's success in the sport. For example,loose fitting golf gloves can hamper a player's ability to properly griptheir club. As a result, the player's performance can be poor. Inanother example, the fit of a golfer's shoes can have consequences notonly in the comfort of the player but also in the shoes' ability toprovide a solid base of support. If the shoes are too loose in the heelarea, a golfer's foot can move relative to the ground which isundesirable. These deficiencies can also result in the player havingpoor performance.

Many golfers would prefer to have custom apparel made-to-order thatmatches their individual needs. This is accomplished by custom-makingapparel for the golfer. Since the majority of golfers cannot affordcustom-made shoes, they must wear shoes of a pre-made size that best fittheir feet.

Presently, ordering customized articles, such as golf shoes, requirestelephoning or physically going to a supplier, manufacturer or retailerto discuss and order such shoes with the desired characteristics. Thisprocess may include having the user's feet measured. Currently, thismethod of forming customized golf shoes is a time consuming, laborintensive and expensive process.

There is a need for computerized order systems for ordering sportsapparel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for soliciting or placing atleast one order for appendage apparel. The method comprises the steps ofproviding at least one computer; providing an order form through atleast one computer to be accessed by at least one user from a remotesite; providing at least one parameter, including a size parameter;providing at least one measuring device connected to the computer formeasuring the size of the user's appropriate body part; entering the atleast one parameter on the order form; submitting the order form throughthe at least one computer; and receiving the apparel according to eachparameter in the order form.

In one embodiment, the step of providing at least one parameter furtherincludes providing at least one of the following parameters: material,model, style, color, material treatment, or personalization. In anotherembodiment, the step of providing an order form further includesproviding at least one of the following order forms: a headgear orderform, a footwear order form, or a glove order form.

In yet another embodiment, the step of providing at least one computerfurther includes providing a first computer at a store location and asecond computer at a warehouse in communication with the first computer.In such an embodiment, the step of providing at least one computer mayfurther include providing a third computer at a manufacturing facilityin communication with the first and second computers. One or all ofthese computers can be connected to the Internet.

In another embodiment, the measuring may be accomplished by alaser-sizing device.

One feature of the present invention is that appendage apparel accordingto the order form may be provided from existing stock at the remotelocation. Another feature of the present invention is that appendageapparel according to the order form may be provided from existing stockat a warehouse at a location different from the remote location.According to yet another feature of the present invention, the appendageapparel according to the order form may be manufactured.

The method of the present invention can be used to manufacture footwear,such as golf shoes, and gloves, including golf gloves.

According to another embodiment of the present method, the method mayinclude providing a plurality of parameters, where one of the parametersincludes applying selected indicia to the apparel.

The present invention is also directed to a computerized golf apparelorder system comprising three computers. The first computer is at astore location, and includes an order form with at least one parameter.The second computer is at a warehouse and is in communication with thefirst computer. The third computer is at a manufacturing facility and isin communication with the first and second computers. The system furtherincludes a measuring device connected to the first computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention,the following drawings have been provided wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of a computernetwork of the present invention for use with an inventive method;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of the method of the present invention forsoliciting orders for customized apparel using a computer network;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shoe that can be ordered using theinventive method;

FIG. 4 is a side, perspective view of a measuring device for use in theinventive method;

FIG. 5 is a front, perspective view of the measuring device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front, perspective view of the measuring device of FIG. 4during measuring of a user's foot;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of integrating a manufacturingprocess in the inventive method;

FIG. 8 is a back view of a glove that can be ordered using the inventivemethod;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the glove of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of the glove of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes a computerized article customizationsystem and method for use thereof. The method includes soliciting orplacing orders for customized articles or apparel using a system 6 witha computer network, as shown in FIG. 1.

A flow chart of the method is shown in FIG. 2. The preferred methodgenerally includes steps 10-26. Step 10 includes providing an order formaccessible through at least one computer or a computer network by one ormore users U (as shown in FIG. 6) from one or more sites. Steps 12 and14 include providing an order form through the computer and providingone or more possible design parameters or criteria. The order formrelates to an article, such as a golf shoe 15 shown in FIG. 3. Step 16includes requesting that the user customize the article by entering atleast one of the design parameters on the order form. Step 18 isoptional and includes the user providing the necessary purchaseinformation. Step 20 includes requesting that the user submit the orderform through the computer network. Step 22 includes receiving the orderform. The method may also include step 24 of determining whether toaccept the order represented by the customized order form. Step 24,however, is optional. Step 26 includes sending a pre-made articleaccording to the customized order form or manufacturing one or morearticles according to the customized order form so that a user receivesthe desired merchandise.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, step 10 of providing the computer networkincludes providing a store computer C_(S) at a retail store 30, awarehouse computer C_(W) at a warehouse 32 remote from the retail store30, and a manufacturing computer C_(M) at a manufacturing site 34 remotefrom the store 30 and the warehouse 32.

The computers C_(S), C_(W), and C_(M) are electronically connected viacables 36 and 38. Other electrical connection devices or componentsknown by those of ordinary skill in the art can also be used, such as awireless network, satellite communication network, and the internet.

The computer network further includes a user computer C_(U)electronically connected to the store computer C_(S) via a cable 40. Inan alternative embodiment, the functions of the user computer C_(U) andthe store computer C_(S) can be combined into one computer. Furthermore,the store 30 can include a plurality of user computers C_(U) connectedto the store computer C_(S).

Although in this embodiment, the user computer C_(U) is located in thestore 30, in an alternative embodiment the user computer C_(U) can belocated remote from the store 30 such as in the user's home or office.This remote user computer C_(U) can be connected to the store computerC_(U) and/or the warehouse computer C_(W) by the Internet or otherdevices known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in one embodiment the user computer C_(U)includes a monitor 42, a microprocessor 44 (shown in phantom) within ahousing 45, a keyboard 46, a mouse 48, and a printer 49. In otherembodiments, the user computer C_(U) can be a dumb terminal, internetappliance, personal digital assistant, handheld computer, cellularphone, or virtually any other electronic network appliance that canelectronically connect with the store computer C_(S).

The monitor 42 displays a graphical user interface in the form of anorder form 50. The microprocessor 44 may stores and run various softwareprograms to allow the user computer C_(U) to operate as necessary. Thekeyboard 46 and mouse 48 are data input devices that the user operatesto enter data into the order form 50. The printer 49 is a data outputdevice that the user operates to export data from the computer, such asprinting a copy of the order form 50 for record keeping purposes. Thevarious components 42-49 of the user computer C_(U) are connected in aconventional manner. The user computer C_(U) and the store, warehouse,and manufacturing computers C_(S), C_(W), C_(M), are commerciallyavailable.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the system 6 further includes a measuringdevice 52 connected to the user computer C_(U) via cable 54. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the measuring device 52 includes a base 55with a slightly inclined platform 56 and a vertical member 58 connectedthereto. The measuring device 52 further includes a scanner housing 60movably mounted to the vertical member 58. As shown in FIG. 5, thescanner housing 60 moves rotatably about rotation axis, designated R.The movement of the scanner housing 60 can be powered by a motor or bedone manually by an operator O (shown in FIG. 6). The scanner housing 60supports a scanner (not shown) for emitting a laser light 62 (as shownin FIG. 4) for imaging a user's foot.

The preferred scanner used is commercially available and one recommendedscanner for use in this system is the RealScan USB manufactured by 3DDigital Corp. of Danbury, Conn., or other three dimensional scanningsystems such as those manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. of Japan.RealScan USB enables users to capture complex geometric data of anobject to create a three-dimensional digital model. The resultingdigital model is easily imported into software to measure variousdimensions of a user's foot.

The scanner is shown in use in FIG. 6, in this illustration the user Uis having their feet scanned and the operator O is running themeasurement device 52 and entering the data in the order form 50.

Alternatively, the measuring device can measure a wearer's stretchedshoe to determine the user's foot dimensions or the measuring device canuse photographs, probes or the like to make measurements. Also, themeasuring device can be a simple device, such as a tape measure and/orruler or a hand measuring device as disclosed in U.S. application Ser.No. 09/494,646 to Bonzagni et al., entitled “Glove Fitting Device andMethod” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Anydevice useful to measure the necessary appendage (i.e., head, foot, orhand) can be used.

In another embodiment of the system, the measuring device may not beused. In such a system, a user when prompted by the order form 50 caninput predetermined measurements using the keyboard 46 and/or mouse 48(as shown in FIG. 4). The user can also enter the measurements byentering a customer number that allows the user to access the user'smeasurements from the computer's memory. In addition, the user computerC_(U) can include a card reader or disk drive (not shown) that canretrieve data from a storage device, such as a chip, card, disk or thelike. The storage device would have the necessary measurement datathereon.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the step 12 of providing an order formaccessible through the computer network by one or more users from one ormore sites may be accomplished by including such the order form 50 onthe user computer C_(U) as discussed above or on the manufacturer's,supplier's or retailer's website on the Internet. Alternatively, theorder form may be sent to users via e-mail or sent to the user in apaper version by mail or facsimile.

This paper version of the form is filled out by the user and returned tothe retailer or manufacturer for entry of the data into the order formon the computer.

In accordance with the present method, the manufacturer, supplier orretailer may carry out the step 14 of providing to the user one or morepossible design parameters or criteria which may be used to customizethe article. As explained below, these parameters generally define thecharacteristics of a type of article or articles in general. The designparameters which generally apply to all types of articles may includethe quantity and type of articles. The articles contemplated for thepresent invention are those that are made of material that is cut andsecured together to form a product. The securement can be by bondingwith adhesive, stitched or the like. These articles include clothing orgarments like gloves, coats, shirts, pants, jackets and the like. Thisarticles also include headgear, such as hats and footwear like golfshoes. In addition, can include sporting goods, such as base ballgloves, home furnishings, vehicle components, such as seats, and bags.Thus, appendage apparel such as hats, gloves and shoes are contemplated.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a golf shoe 15 that can be formedaccording to the present invention. The shoe 15 includes an upper 15 a,a midsole 15 b, and an outsole 15 c. The upper 15 a is conventional andoptionally includes a piece of saddle material 15 d between the frontand rear of the shoe. The upper 15 a is joined to the midsole 15 b usingcement or the like and conventional techniques. Once joined thereto theupper 15 a defines an opening 15 e for receiving a wearer's foot. Theupper further includes an inner layer 15 f or lining, a logo 15 g and aplurality of patterns. The first pattern 15 h is formed of holes in theupper material. The second pattern 15 i is formed of stitching. The shoecan also include an insole (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the user at step 16 is then asked tocustomize the desired article by entering at least one design parameteron the order form to be applied to the customized article. The user mayenter the desired design parameters by either typing in the desiredvalues for each parameter on the keyboard 46 (as shown in FIG. 4) withor without the mouse 48, or by selecting one value from a choice ofvalues. This choice of values can be displayed on lists, pull-downmenus, catalog pages or by images on the monitor 42.

In the preferred embodiment, the user may choose the particular type ofarticle that he or she desires to customize. For example, the user maychoose to customize shoes, golf shoes, soccer shoes, football shoes,bowling shoes, dance shoes, basketball shoes, baseball shoes, softballshoes, tennis shoes, or other types of shoes. The user may then furthercustomize the shoes by entering additional desired design parameters,including design parameters specific to the chosen shoes. For example, auser may select golf shoe 15 (as shown in FIG. 3) as the desired type ofshoe to customize. Because there are certain design parameters thatapply specifically to golf shoes but not to other types of shoes, thepresent method may include providing a specific set of design parameterscorresponding to golf shoes and a set of design parameters correspondingto various types of sports shoes. The set of golf shoe design criteriamay include, but is not limited to: size, upper and sole material,material treatment, model, color(s), traction level, cleat type,cushioning and personalization. Each of these design parameters will bediscussed below.

One advantage of the present invention is that a user can select anyvalue within a range of acceptable values for certain design parameters.For example, size may be such a customizable design parameter. Golfshoes are generally sold with lengths between about 8 inches and about15 inches and widths between A and EEE. However, the present inventionmay allow a user to specify any length and width values from within agiven range of acceptable values, as well as different sizes for rightand left feet. The acceptable values will generally be determined basedon acceptable manufacturing criteria or limitations.

Referring to FIG. 3, for the upper and sole material 15 a-c of a golfshoes, the possible choices may include, for example, upper outer-layermaterial, upper inner-layer material 15 f, upper intermediate layermaterial (not shown), insole material, midsole 15 b material and outsole15 c material. Various upper outer and inner layer materials includevarious types of leather, synthetic leather, woven and non-woven fabricsand the like. Various intermediate-layer materials include temperatureresponsive membranes, and waterproof membranes. The insole material canbe selected from for example, foam, foam with comfort enhancement, suchas with temperature control or a level of breathability. The midsolematerials can be selected from for example, ethylene vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), PU, rubbers, or combinations thereof. The outsolematerials can be selected from for example, leather, synthetic leather,thermoplastics, plastics, or combinations thereof.

For the material treatment, the possible choices may include, forexample, temperature responsive treatment as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,179,879, entitled “Leather Impregnated With Temperature StabilizingMaterial and Method For Producing Such Leather,” stain-proofing, patternand/or waterproofing.

The pattern on the upper can be provided by the choice of leather forexample lizard, crocodile, and snake. Patterns that can be applied orformed on the materials include stitching, holes, pebble grain, circleor other shaped print, tumbled, cross-hatch, weave, emblems, or nopattern could be specified so that the leather is smooth. As shown inFIG. 3, patterns 15 h and 15 i are examples of those that can be used.The choice of pattern and material may require the user to specify thelocation of these materials or patterns on the shoe, such as in the toe,saddle 15 d (see FIG. 3), or heel areas.

The possible choices for the model of the customized golf shoes mayinclude, for example, if the manufacture is Acushnet the shoes in theirline, representative of which are the FootJoy Classics Dry® Premiere,Classics®, DryJoys®, or SoftJoys®. Once the model is selected, materialsand treatment choices consistent with those offered with each model maybe limited.

The possible choices for color(s) can include any available to themanufacture and the user may need to specify to which portion of theshoe the color should be applied. Examples of available colors arewhite, black, brown, tan, burgundy, red, blue, and cream. Various shadesof these colors are also possible choices.

The traction level choices can include the type of outsoleconfiguration, i.e., the types, location, and configuration of ridges,grooves and projections on the outsole. The cleat type choices includewhether to have cleats, and if cleats are desired the cleat material(i.e., metal or plastic), the cleat configuration (or projection shapeand location), and the cleat projection length. The cleat choices canalso include whether elements, such as traction rings or annular memberswith traction projections thereon that are secured by the cleats are tobe used and if so, the pattern and configuration of the traction rings.

The choices in the amount and type of cushioning include rubber plugs,air plugs, gel cushions, foam or the like and their hardness andlocation.

One important advantage of the present method is the ability for a userto quickly and easily order personalized shoes with custom indicia orlogos. One method of applying custom indicia to golf shoes is to punchpatterns into the outer layer material. Custom logos in the form ofembroidered, printed or inscribed tabs that are attached to the outerlayer material can also be used. Or the logos may be applied directly tothe outer layer material.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the present method may include the step 18 ofrequesting various information from the user to complete the currentorder. This information can include, but is not limited to, his or hername, address, place of business, work and home phone number(s), faxnumber, e-mail address, how to ship, credit card number, and credit cardexpiration date, or other form of payment information, such as smartcard information, Paypal, or other electronic payment methods. In somecircumstances, a user may be asked to provide a predeterminedidentification number. This identification number can correspond to acatalog or customer number. In an embodiment where a pro shop orretailer is placing the order with a manufacturer, step 18 may alsoinclude requesting a predetermined identification number correspondingto that pro shop or retailer.

Once all of the relevant and/or necessary information has been providedby the user on the order form, the user is asked to submit the completedorder form to the manufacturer, retailer or supplier over the computernetwork, thus placing the order (step 20). In a preferred embodiment,the user may be given alternative options before submitting thecompleted form. For example, the user may be able to clear the form andstart over, revise the form, save the form in a database for apredetermined amount of time before actually placing the order, orcancel the order altogether.

Once the order form is submitted by the user, the present methodincludes step 22 of receiving the order form via the computer networkfrom the user. Referring to FIG. 1, the order form is received by thestore computer C_(S) from the user computer C_(U). Alternatively, theorder form can be submitted to the warehouse and/or manufacturingcomputers C_(W) and C_(M).

Once the order form is submitted by the user, the present methodincludes step 24 of determining whether or not to accept the order. Thisstep is optional and prevents the manufacturer, supplier or retailerfrom attempting to fill an impracticable or impossible order, or fromfilling an order for a user who has provided a false, invalid orcanceled credit card.

After the particular computer receives the completed order form anddecides to accept the order, the order may be filled (step 26). Step 26preferably further includes the step of the store computer C_(S) (seeFIG. 1) determining if the shoes represented by the customized orderform are in the store inventory. If these shoes are in the storeinventory, this information is used to retrieve the shoes and providethem to the user in the store. If these shoes are not in the storeinventory, step 26 may further include the step of the order form beingsubmitted to and received by the warehouse computer C_(W) from the storecomputer C_(S).

The warehouse computer C_(W) determines if the shoes represented by thecustomized order form are in the warehouse inventory. If these shoes arein the warehouse inventory, this information is used to retrieve theshoes and send them to the user either by delivering them to the storeor delivering them to another location, such as the user's home. Ifthese shoes are not in the warehouse inventory, step 26 may furtherinclude the step of the order form being submitted to and received bythe manufacturing computer C_(M) from the warehouse computer C_(W). Inother embodiments, customization can be done in the warehouse, such asby attaching a custom logo or custom ball mark on gloves, or customtassles, medallions, or ball mark on shoes.

The manufacturing computer C_(M) determines if the shoes represented bythe customized order form scheduled to be manufactured as part of thestandard process. If so, the customer may be sent an estimated time ofdelivery. If not, the data from the customized order form is used tomanufacture the shoes according to the order form in a custom run. Themanufacturing computer C_(M) may send the user an estimated deliverytime, and the ordered shoes are delivered to the customer.

Thus, the manufacturing process may be integrated as part of the overallcustomization process. This integration may be accomplished by, forexample, translating the design parameter data into manufacturingcontrol data to be used directly by the machinery at a manufacturingfacility. The manufacturing facilities, which operate to create thecustomized shoes, generally comprise different machines operated in aseries for making the shoes. For example, there may be anoutsole-molding apparatus which can mold a sole with the type ofmaterial selected by the user on the order form.

FIG. 7 illustrates an integrated manufacturing process for customizingthe upper on the shoe. These steps are sub-steps of step 26, shown inFIG. 2. In step 100, the order form is received by the manufacturingcomputer CM (shown in FIG. 1) in the manufacturing facility. The presentinvention may include step 102 of reading the specific data orinformation corresponding to the upper-type chosen by the user.Generally, this specific data would be read by the cutting-apparatus, sothe operator and/or apparatus may then carry out the step 104 ofselecting the appropriate material and cutting patterns for the shoecorresponding to the upper type chosen by the user.

The next step 106 may include setting up the cutting-molding apparatuswith appropriate values to prepare the machine to cut the upper materialfor the custom shoe. For example, once the appropriate pattern isselected according to the form, the cutting apparatus or operator shouldput the corresponding pattern into place for cutting. Further, theapparatus should be set up to make the proper number of upper pieces.

Finally, the present method may include the step 108 of activating orrunning the cutting-molding apparatus to physically cut the uppermaterial as desired by the user.

These and other aspects of the present invention may be more fullyunderstood with reference to the following non-limiting example, whichis merely illustrative of an article that can be formed using thepresent inventive system and method, and is not to be construed aslimiting the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appendedclaims.

As shown in FIG. 8, the user choose a golf glove 110 as the particulartype of article that he or she desires to customize. The present methodfor customizing the golf glove is the same as that disclosed withreference to FIG. 2 above. The design parameters, however, may include,but is not limited to: size, rear panel 112 material, front panel 114(as shown in FIG. 9) material, fourchette 116 (as shown FIG. 10)material, material treatments, model, color(s), and personalization.Some of these design parameters will be discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, in the present method, the user selects themodel as shown in FIG. 8. In this method, the rear panel 112 materialwas selected to include an synthetic back portion 118 and a lycra,elastic back portion 120. The back portion 118 is chosen to be grey. Theback portion 118 is chosen to be black. The front panel 114 was selectedto be grey leather, the fourchettes 116 of the fingers and thumb of theglove were selected to be of a grey leather. In an alternativeembodiment, one or all of the fourchettes can be elastic material ofvarious colors or leather of various colors. The user may selectmaterial treatments for the glove.

The user may also select personalization. In this example, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 10, the personalization selected consists of an embroideredFJ logo 122 attached to the closure tab 124. The personalization alsoincludes a FootJoy indicia 126 embroidered on the back portion 120 ofthe glove.

As discussed above, the user fills out and submits an order form for theglove 110 and the glove is given to the user at the retail store,shipped from the warehouse or manufactured custom and sent.

The present method of ordering custom articles is more efficient, evenfor relatively small orders, because the order may be accessed by themanufacturing facility itself. Further, the present method ofcustomizing articles is more flexible than prior customization methodsin that there may be more choices available to the user. In addition,the present invention allows for a consumer to order custom articlesfrom a computer terminal in a golf pro shop after the consumer hasreceived the advice of the golf professional on what type of golf shoewill suit the consumer's game. This advice may be coupled with a testingfacility in the golf pro shop.

While it is apparent that the illustrative embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein fulfill the functions stated above, it will beappreciated that alternatives, modifications, and equivalents and otherembodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. Therefore, itwill be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover allsuch modifications and embodiments which would come within the spiritand scope of the present invention.

1.-26. (canceled)
 27. A method for ordering and receiving customizedgolf shoes through the internet, comprising the steps of: providing auser computer; connecting to the internet via the user computer;accessing a graphical user interface soliciting orders for customizedgolf shoes; selecting a model of golf shoe, wherein the golf shoecomprises a sole and an upper, wherein the upper comprises an upperouter layer and a saddle; accessing a first set of design parameters,wherein the first set of design parameters comprises a first materialfor the upper outer layer material and a second material for the saddle;submitting the first set of design parameters; accessing a second set ofdesign parameters, wherein the second set of design parameters compriseslogos, monograms, or mixtures thereof; submitting the second set ofdesign parameters; accessing a third set of design parameters, whereinthe third set of design parameters comprises length and width of thegolf shoes; submitting the third set of design parameters; reviewing acustom design based on the model selection and first, second, and thirddesign parameters; transmitting the custom design to a manufacturer'scomputer network, wherein the manufacturer's computer network translatesthe first, second, and third design parameters into manufacturingcontrol data and prepares customized golf shoes according to the customdesign; and receiving the customized golf shoes.
 28. The methodaccording to claim 27, wherein the step of selecting the model furthercomprises selecting the cleat type, sole material, and cushioning. 29.The method of claim 27, wherein the step of accessing a third set ofdesign parameters further comprises selecting a first length and a firstwidth for a right shoe and a second length and a second width for a leftshoe.
 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and second lengthsare the same.
 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and secondlengths are different.
 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the first andsecond widths are the same.
 33. The method of claim 29, wherein thefirst and second widths are different.
 34. The method of claim 27,wherein the step of accessing a second set of design parameters furthercomprises selecting one of a first logo and a first monogram for a rightshoe and one of a second logo and a second monogram for a left shoe. 35.The method of claim 34, wherein the first and second logos aredifferent.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the first and secondlogos are the same.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein the first andsecond monograms are different.
 38. The method of claim 34, wherein thefirst and second monograms are the same.
 39. A method for ordering andreceiving customized golf shoes through the internet, comprising thesteps of: accessing a graphical user interface soliciting custom golfshoe orders; selecting a model of golf shoe, wherein the golf shoecomprises a sole and an upper, wherein the upper comprises an upperouter layer and a saddle; accessing a first set of design parameters,wherein the first set of design parameters comprises a first materialfor the upper outer layer material and a second material for the saddle;submitting the first set of design parameters; accessing a second set ofdesign parameters, wherein the second set of design parameters comprisesa first set of logos and monograms for a right shoe and a second set oflogos and monograms for a left shoe; submitting the second set of designparameters; accessing a third set of design parameters, wherein thethird set of design parameters comprises a first length and first widthfor a right shoe and a second length and a second width for a left shoe,wherein the first and second lengths may differ, and wherein the firstand second widths may differ; submitting the third set of designparameters; reviewing a custom design based on the model selection andfirst, second, and third design parameters; transmitting the customdesign to a manufacturer's computer network, wherein the manufacturer'scomputer network translates the first, second, and third designparameters into manufacturing control data and prepares customized golfshoes according to the custom design; and receiving the customized golfshoes.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of accessing thesecond set of design parameters further comprises selecting a first logofor the right shoe and a second logo for the left shoe, and wherein thefirst and second logos are different.
 41. The method of claim 39,wherein the step of accessing the second set of design parametersfurther comprises selecting a first logo for the right shoe and a secondlogo for the left shoe, and wherein the first and second logos are thesame.
 42. The method of claim 39, wherein the step of accessing thesecond set of design parameters further comprises selecting a firstmonogram for the right shoe and a second logo for the left shoe.
 43. Themethod of claim 39, wherein the step of accessing the second set ofdesign parameters further comprises selecting a first logo for the rightshoe and a second monogram for the left shoe.
 44. The method accordingto claim 39, wherein the step of selecting the model further comprisesselecting the cleat type, sole material, and cushioning.
 45. The methodaccording to claim 39, wherein the step of accessing a graphical userinterface comprises providing a user computer and connecting to theinternet through the user computer.
 46. The method according to claim45, wherein the user computer comprises a handheld computer or acellular phone.